Mercedes surprises with extreme side boxes
“We didn’t expect that,” says Formula 1 sports director Ross Brawn about the new Mercedes
What: REUTERS
At the Formula 1 test drives in Barcelona, Mercedes surprises with a new car. The side boxes are almost gone. While the team boss is “proud” of the concept, the rulers admit their surprise.
MBecause of its extreme sidepods, ercedes doesn’t expect any trouble with the Formula 1 rule keeper. “We’re really proud of the concept, now it just has to be fast,” said Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff at the start of the tests in Bahrain on Thursday. “It is clear that when you come up with an innovation, then there is a debate.”
The W13 now only has mini sidepods. The almost rectangular cooling inlets at cockpit level became two narrow vertical slits on the left and right of the chassis. A wing element protrudes horizontally from the chassis, on which the rear-view mirror and vertical fins sit.
As the rule guardian, the world motorsport association Fia was involved in all technical approvals, assured Wolff. Formula 1 and Fia would treat the issue with “care”.
Red Bull denies rumours
“There are some very extreme interpretations of the regulations that could lead to a lot of discussion. We didn’t expect the Mercedes concept,” admitted Formula 1 sports director Ross Brawn, who played a key role in the new set of rules. “I would be surprised if Mercedes did something illegal,” said Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto.
Around the track there were soon rumors that Red Bull team boss Christian Horner had described the innovations on the Mercedes as illegal. However, the world champion team denied this in a statement: “We have not made any official comment regarding the Mercedes car and will not do so either.”
The new Formula 1 season starts on March 20 in Bahrain. After the cancellation of the Grand Prix in Sochi, Russia, 22 races have been planned so far.
